XDefiant's Recent Update on Weapon Progression Leaves Players Divided : Games : Gamenguide

Ubisoft's latest adjustments to XDefiant's weapon progression system have sparked mixed reactions among players, with opinions split over the changes made.

(Photo : Ubisoft / Screenshot taken from the official website.)

Lower XP Requirements but Tougher Mastery Goals

In an effort to streamline the leveling experience, Ubisoft decided to reduce the XP needed to level up primary and secondary weapons in XDefiant. Previously set at 3,500 and 1,500 respectively, these requirements have been brought down to 3,000 and 1,000. This adjustment aims to make early weapon progression more accessible to players, ensuring they can unlock basic attachments and enhancements faster during gameplay.

However, to balance this reduction, Ubisoft also increased the threshold for achieving weapon mastery camos. Bronze camo now requires reaching level 100 instead of 50, Silver jumps to 150 from 75, and Gold extends from 100 to 200. This change means that while players may level up their weapons quicker initially, achieving the prestigious mastery camos will now demand more dedication and effort.

Community Reaction and Developer Response

The player community has responded with a range of opinions since the update's release on June 18. Patrick 'ACHES' Price, a prominent figure in XDefiant's community, pointed out that the grind for weapon levels was considerable before the update, requiring around 35 kills per level across 18 primary weapons. Despite occasional double XP weekends, many players felt the progression was too slow.

In response to feedback, XDefiant's executive producer Mark Rubin acknowledged the initial intent to accelerate attachment unlocks but defended the adjustment to mastery camo requirements. He argued that weapon mastery is intended to be a prestigious achievement showcasing player dedication, rather than a necessity for gameplay balance.

This rationale, however, has faced criticism from some players and content creators like NerosCinema, who argue that doubling the level requirements for mastery camos feels overly punitive.

Rubin emphasized that the update is retroactive, ensuring all players benefit from higher weapon levels immediately. Yet, concerns remain about the imbalance in gameplay incentives, with players focusing primarily on kills to maximize XP gain rather than engaging with other aspects of the game.

As Ubisoft continues to monitor player feedback and game analytics, further adjustments may be on the horizon to refine the weapon progression system in XDefiant.